The Tender Bar

Just finished this book.  LOVED it!  It is getting my highest recommendations so if you feel like reading a book, keep this one in mind.

Tomorrow is the first day of school for the kids, but TODAY is the first day for me.  I've got that nervous, "I don't know anyone or where anything is" feeling (which isn't entirely true because I have a friend that is sharing the nursing job with me).  I know I'll be fine but I think I will feel a whole lot better a few months into this :)

I think the kids are ready to go for school.... clothes - check, school supplies - check, haircuts - check.  Only thing I forgot is all those forms I have to print and fill out from school websites with info.  Looks like I have quite a bit of writing in my future today!    I also just dug through a rather disgusting trash bag looking for a summer reading form that needs to be filled out - found it 30 minutes later on the desk.  Time for a hot shower - yuck!  Wish me luck!  xo, Brie

Water for Elephants

Have you read this yet?  You should!  I loved it, gave it the full five star review. I knew a movie was in the was in the works but I had no idea an actual trailer existed until just now - I approve of the casting :)  I will most definitely go see the movie when it comes out! xo, Brie



I think Christina must have read it before she made this video ;)

Serendipity Books

Not sure WHAT made me think of these books today but they were my all time favorites when I was little.  Just looking at the covers make me happy in a nostalgic way.  Did anyone read these in the 70's?  I can't wait to see if the library has them!  My favorites were the Gnome From Nome, Hucklebug, Creole, The Muffin Muncher, and The Wheedle on the Needle.  xo, Brie

Twilight Books for Beginning Readers

I am a big fan of the Dick and Jane series for easy early readers.  Plenty of easy sight words and lots of repetition to drive it home.  Numerous but short chapters to read which is good for little attention spans.  Hard covered and durable for 7.99!  I'm also a sucker for the nostalgia of the old fashioned pictures.

We are brushing up on our reading skills because first grade is just around the corner.  I let her choose whichever one she wanted and this is what she chose.....

and I am not going to lie - it's hilarious.  That Dick and Jane sure have a good sense of humor!! xo, Brie

Summer Reading

Can't put this book down... it is so good. I have the 2nd book in the series Catching Fire on deck and the 3rd is due out in August. If you are looking for a great summer read, this is it! xo, Brie

Garlic and Sapphires

I am still on a huge Ruth Reichl kick. I love her! This book is another great one by her. Her career is really taking off and she has just been offered the job as food critic for the New York Times. Upon her arrival to New York, she realizes she is a recognizable face and recruits help and make up artists to create new characters to dine out at fancy shmancy restaurants like Le Cirque. She will later return to Le Cirque as "herself" and writes reviews based on the different treatment she receives as a "nobody" verses Ruth Reichl New York Times food critic! It's very interesting - pick it up for the summer if you are looking for a great read! xo, Brie

itunes Audiobooks

I have been sewing like a mad woman this week with some upcoming shows so I apologize for the lack of correspondence :) We are still adjusting to our new spring sports schedule but I am gathering lots of material to share with you in the very near future!

I am still sticking with my Spark People diet and I really love this website. I have been trying to schedule in at least 3-4 brisk walks a week around this lovely walking path we have that is about 4 miles long. It just occurred to me to download an audiobook on itunes to listen to while I walk. That could be motivating should I chose wisely :) Any suggestions? I'm leaning towards this one...

New Book

Tender at the Bone - Growing Up at the Table by Ruth Reichl. SOOOOO Good! xo, Brie

What I'm Reading

The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison. It's a memoir with some nice perspective from a mother entering the middle of her life and raising 2 adolescent boys with her husband. I am enjoying it! One Fabulous Mom posted this narrative by the author a few months ago which is why I picked up the book in the first place. It's worth a look if you haven't seen it. xo, Brie

a quick warning - it's a bit of a sweet tear jerker so don't watch it with your headphones in the public library like I did. People will look at you like you are kookanook.

Snow Days

Our snow is finally here after a cruel joke last week left us pretty much snowless!

I'm reading this and loving it so far. I really liked Eat, Pray, Love and it's a follow up to that story! xo, Brie

Currently Reading

I've decided to read this book next... Still Alice by Lisa Genova about a woman in her 50's who is recently diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer's. My mother saw this author speak at the Cape this past summer and as I add books into my Shelfari account, this book is continually suggested. I have it in hand and hope to start sometime today! I only have it on loan from the library for 2 weeks so need to get crackin. The subject matter truly terrifies me as Alzheimer's is a very nondiscriminating disease that can strike anyone, anytime.

A few blogger friends and I are considering starting up an online book club! Still trying to figure out the logistics and operations of how exactly this can work - if you have any suggestions or would like to be a part of it, I'm all ears :) xo, Brie

The Help

I had heard a lot of great things about the book The Help by Kathryn Stockett so I put my name on the hold list at the library. I was number 451 on the list!!! Kay took pity on me and bought it for me Christmas. I have to tell you, I'm loving it (about 1/3 done). I can't stop reading it and thus getting nothing done around here. Add this one to your list! xo, Brie

A disjointed post about all the happenings

I want to wish all my faithful readers (mom and Keely) a very Merry Christmas (just kidding, I really do mean all 10 of you and you know who you are)! Company will begin arriving sometime this afternoon and I can hardly wait to see everyone.

I've got a lot done around here the last couple of days - just when I thought I was drowning in my to do list there it is, the light at the end of the tunnel! (Greatest site ever by the way - thank you to the blogger who showed me it, exactly which blog is escaping me, but please know you have made life easier for me and I thank you xo)

So here are some things I've crossed off the list:

I finished this book

I loved it! It's not exactly an easy read, you need concentration but I found it well worth it and would like to give a shout out to the librarian who took pity on me and allowed to renew for a 3rd time (you're only allowed 2 renewals). I love memoirs and this is a good one!

I cooked up all my shrimp for shrimp cocktail and have it chillin in the fridge. This is the best cocktail sauce ever by the way... available seasonally (as in now) at my home away from home, Costco!

I've made this, these and even this! Not too shabby, right?!

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas, from the bottom of my heart... so I'll leave you with this holiday favorite. I'm sorry, it's just not Christmas without New Kids on the Block :)



Who do you feel more embarrassed for in this video? Jordan when he tears off his leather jacket or Joey Joe when he does that booty dance? Discuss amongst yourselves :) xo, Brie

Reading to do list

This book has been recommended to me by a few good friends. It is now in my possession and I will be starting it tonight - can't wait! xo, Brie

Picture Book Recommendations

I have been on a major library kick since last year. It continues to blow my mind daily that you can request a book and borrow it for FREE - even brand new, hot off the press publications. Best part of all is you RETURN the book so you don't have loads and loads of books making a tower of terror in the corner of your bedroom. I realize this concept is not new but humor me as I am in awe of such a fantastic system! It really is a beautiful thing :)

Ms. C loves herself a good book and it is part of our nightly routine. 4 books is the number we read each night and the max of how many I take out a time for her. I can only keep track of so much! I am going to tell you a few of our all time favorites, so add these to you list if you haven't read them already!

Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberly

Great book, with a fun colorful cut out illustrations that build and then destruct the infamous monster under the bed. All of my kids LOVED this book.

Be Nice to Spiders by Margaret Bloy Graham

This was one of my favorites when I was little. My mom ordered it from one of those weekly reader pamphlets and it's great. I recently bought a copy for myself on ebay.

Today I Feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis

Today I feel silly, mom says it the heat, I put rouge on the cat and gloves on my feet. I think I might be able to recite this whole book by heart :)

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

Who doesn't love a great story about someone who "dares" to be different? I think this book led me to love Fall Out Boy because I got the 'Under the Cork Tree' reference right away from this book.

The Funny Little Woman by Arlene Mosel

This is an oldie but goodie but we only recently found it thanks to Aunt Mary Payne! Tee Hee's and the wicked Oni, we love it!

I'll be adding to these lists soon as well as some awesome reads for the 9-13 age set. What's your favorite picture book? xo, Brie

PS Happy Birthday to a Whale of a Dad - My Dad! xo

Currently Reading

Just finished this book. Really good, a nice summer on the beach kind of read. I enjoyed it very much!

Just started this and love, love, LOVE it! I have officially finished my "7 for summer" (a month and a week late for those of you doing the math) but I not stopping there. I'm going to keep going and going. I'll keep you posted on my progress and recommendations. xo, Brie

Uneventful Times

Finished this (loved it but don't think I need to see the movie)

On to this one - got great reviews from my family


Trying out a new healthy eating plan - so far, so good! I'll keep you posted, I'm certain you're on the edge of your seat ;) xo, Brie

Chugging along with the books...

Ok, so I sadly failed at my mission to finish the 7 books for summer. sigh. I really should have been a bit more focused in July but instead chose many an evening to enjoy some dark and stormies while listening to Yaz on the deck over reading.

I'm going to turn this frown upside down and no longer limit my recreational reading to the summer! I'm going to keep going and going, this way the "summer failure" turns to a "lifelong success". That's my story and I'm sticking to it. You can follow along with my nifty new bookshelf widget on the right!

I just finished this and quite liked it....

Next up is this and it's due back to the library in 8 days so I best get crackin :) xo, Brie

In love

With this book....

Can't. Put. It. Down. Will not sweat out the 3 week loan :) Have a great weekend! xo, Brie

Calling All Crafters

I finally pulled up my boot straps and dove into the sewing area head first. I have listed some great jacquard ribbon lots (some are really hard to find) on ebay !!
Just thought you would like to know :) xo, Brie
PS Just finished book 3 Eclipse, now onto 4 - My Life in France!